Chapter 181 Meet Again

Chapter 181 Reunion

On the first day of school, the university gate was predictably congested.

Cars were parked all over campus, and even though they arrived just past ten in the morning, the campus was already crowded. Shen Qingye couldn’t help but wonder if some students had arrived the day before.

For university orientation, it was customary for senior students to welcome the freshmen. As Shen Qingye’s group entered the campus, they quickly found the welcome team leader for the forensic medicine department. After completing the check-in process, they successfully obtained the dormitory keys.

Since it was the first day of school, dorm rules were relaxed, and the group easily entered the dormitory.

The forensic medicine department was established relatively late, so the facilities were still quite new. The dormitory had six beds with metal frames and a separate balcony—though it lacked a private bathroom.

Fortunately, Gao Ruiyang knew what to expect and wasn’t particularly dissatisfied. After looking around inside and out, he began cleaning and making his bed.

They were the first to arrive in the dormitory. While they were tidying up, the other roommates gradually showed up. The elders exchanged polite greetings, while the roommates, still a bit awkward, gave stiff hellos before quietly focusing on unpacking their own belongings.

With everyone pitching in, the dormitory was soon in order. By then, it was time for lunch, so the group headed to the cafeteria.

University cafeterias were reasonably priced, but the food wasn’t great. Gao Zhengming frowned. Since the whole family rarely went out together, they skipped the cafeteria and instead went off-campus, picking a random restaurant on the street where the food was decent.

Orientation lasted two days, with no major arrangements during that time. After settling into the dormitory, Gao Ruiyang spent the rest of the time checking out the city with Shen Qingye and the others.

Although Yue Lingchuan had invited himself along, once they arrived in Huaiyang, he parted ways with them. He really meant it when he said he needed to visit his parents and elders—he really did need to see his parents and grandfather.

On top of that, his sister-in-law had recently been confirmed pregnant, so he also had to pay her a visit.

The group happily spent two days shopping around nearby malls, packing both cars full. It wasn’t until the afternoon of the second day, before heading back, that they returned Gao Ruiyang to the university.

Though going to college was a happy occasion, Bai Xiuyu couldn’t help but worry since it was the first time her child would be away from her for so long. Especially since Huai University’s military training lasted over half a month, and with the recent heatwave, she was even more uneasy. She pulled him aside at the school gate and went on and on, to the point where Gao Ruiyang said with a sigh, “Mom, don’t worry. I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

“Besides, it’s so close to home. I’ll come back every week or two, and you can see for yourself if I’ve lost weight, okay?”

Bai Xiuyu scoffed playfully. “Fine, fine, I’ll stop talking so you won’t find me annoying.”

“Mom—” Gao Ruiyang chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.”

After a few more words, Gao Zhengming finally patted his son’s shoulder and told him to study hard before they prepared to leave.

Just as Shen Qingye turned to get back into the car, someone caught her eye, making her pause.

“Sis?” Gao Ruiyang looked at her curiously, then followed her gaze—his eyes instantly lighting up.

“Ren Fangyao?”

He hurried over, grinning ear to ear. “What are you doing here?”

The girl in the distance wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, looking casual and put-together. Shen Qingye was also surprised to see her but soon nodded with a gentle smile.

Ren Fangyao waved at Shen Qingye before turning her attention to Gao Ruiyang.

“What?” She said lightly, amused. “Can’t I come?”

“No, it’s not that.” Gao Ruiyang scratched his head, sulking. “I just didn’t expect…”

He shot back, “Weren’t you supposed to go to the capital? Weren’t you going to study law? Why are you here?”

Ren Fangyao countered, “Just because I’m studying law, I can’t come here?”

Gao Ruiyang grumbled, “We agreed to study forensic medicine together, but you went behind my back and changed your major…”

Ren Fangyao smiled faintly and stayed quiet for a beat.

Gao Ruiyang, taking the hint, changed the subject. "By the way, why are you really here?"

Only then did Ren Fangyao reply, "My school starts tomorrow. I have a connection here, so I thought I'd swing by to check it out."

"Oh." Gao Ruiyang scratched his head, giving a stiff reply, unsure of what else to say.

Fortunately, Shen Qingye, Gao Zhengming, Bai Xiuyu, and the others soon approached. They greeted her warmly, learned her reason for visiting, and told Gao Ruiyang to give her a tour of the campus.

Ren Fangyao, however, shook her head. "That's alright, Auntie. I just came to see the place."

She added, "We've got a train to catch. My mom is waiting for me at the hotel, so I should head back."

"Ah." Bai Xiuyu asked about her train time and nodded. "Then you really should hurry."

"Let us take you there?"

Ren Fangyao declined politely again. The station's out of the way, and their hotel was right next to it. It'd be a hassle going back and forth.

Seeing her insistence, Bai Xiuyu didn't push it and simply bid the young girl farewell.

Shen Qingye also said, "Good luck with your studies."

Ren Fangyao seemed surprised for a second, then smiled softly. "Thank you, Officer Shen."

Shen Qingye watched her figure recede into the distance before turning to Gao Ruiyang, who was clearly bummed to see her leave. She patted his back and said, "Alright."

Gao Ruiyang glanced at her, and Shen Qingye continued, "I bet she'll grow up to be an outstanding lawyer in the future."

Gao Ruiyang's eyebrows shot up, clearly surprised by her sudden remark.

Then, Shen Qingye spoke again, "You should step up your game too. Don't get left in the dust when your friend achieves fame while you lag behind."

Gao Ruiyang turned red and retorted, "As if!"

Even so, he couldn't shake this nagging worry. Ren Fangyao had always excelled academically, and this year’s college entrance exam results made her the top scorer in the whole city, securing her admission to Capital University without a doubt.

Gao Ruiyang was well aware of her brilliance. Hearing Shen Qingye’s words, he couldn’t help but worry.

What if?

What if Ren Fangyao really left him far behind?

That lit a fire under him. After waving goodbye, he strode briskly into the school, leaving Bai Xiuyu rolling her eyes. "That rascal."

Shen Qingye’s grin widened.